WILLIS, Texas – Students at Willis High School have already seen major changes to how they enter the building.
Bag searches. Metal detector screenings. And now, clear backpacks.
Thursday morning, Willis ISD leaders are considering another change.
According to the published agenda, the Willis ISD Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet at 7 a.m. to consider new “weapons detection systems”. This comes after a series of safety concerns at Willis High School, including two loaded guns found inside students’ backpacks.
The district has not yet released details about what type of screening system is being considered, how much it would cost or where the equipment would be installed.
Willis ISD Chief Communications Officer Sarah Blakelock told KPRC 2 additional information is expected after Thursday morning’s meeting.
Why is Willis ISD considering new weapons screeners?
To understand why the district is considering another security measure, you have to look at what has happened at Willis High since late August.
Two students have brought loaded guns onto campus this school year. These were separate incidents.
There have also been incidents involving a threat to shoot students, concerning images posted online and, most recently, comments about a bomb that led to two students being taken into custody.
Those incidents have led to several changes at the school.
The first gun was found Aug. 26
The first loaded gun was discovered Aug. 26.
According to Willis High School Principal Tiffany Mathews, a campus administrator was searching a student suspected of vaping in a restroom when the administrator discovered a loaded gun inside the student’s backpack.
The student told administrators she did not know the gun was inside because she had borrowed the backpack, according to the district.
The student was taken into custody by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
School officials said no threats had been made against the campus or other students.
The gun was secured without a lockdown or hold being ordered.
Another concern came the following day
One day later, Willis High School administrators dealt with another safety concern.
On Aug. 27, a student made a statement in class about shooting other students, according to the district.
Administrators said the student later claimed he was joking.
A school resource officer took the student into custody.
Social media images prompted another investigation
Then, on Aug. 31, school officials received an anonymous report involving images circulating on social media.
One showed a man in a suit standing outside the school’s career and technical education building.
Another depicted a tactical video game character aiming a gun at Willis High School.
The district said there were no direct threats associated with the images.
School resource officers worked with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Real Time Crime Center to investigate where they came from.
A second loaded gun was found Sept. 21
Less than a month after the first gun was discovered, another student brought a loaded gun onto the Willis High School campus.
Administrators received a report Sept. 21 that a student had a gun inside a backpack.
The backpack had already been secured by the time administrators received the report, according to the school.
Willis High was placed on hold while administrators investigated.
The backpack was searched, the gun was found and the weapon was turned over to a school resource officer.
The student was taken into custody.
Mathews acknowledged the growing concerns in a message sent to Willis High families.
She told parents the incident marked the second time during the school year that a gun had been brought to Willis High School.
That second gun also prompted immediate changes to how students entered the building.
Bag searches and metal detector screenings begin
The following morning, students arriving at Willis High faced a different process before getting inside.
Students had their bags searched and were screened with metal detectors.
The district acknowledged the additional security would create delays but said the focus was keeping students safe.
KPRC 2 obtained pictures showing students lined up outside Willis High as bags were searched before students entered the building.
The district also announced plans for another change: clear backpacks.
Then came two bomb comments
The increased security did not end the concerns.
On Sept. 22, the same day students returned under the additional screening measures, two Willis High School students were taken into custody in separate incidents involving comments about having a bomb.
No explosive device was reported.
Those incidents came one day after the second loaded gun was discovered.
Clear backpacks are now required
Willis High has since implemented its clear backpack requirement.
The policy adds another visible security measure following the incidents reported since August.
That means within a matter of weeks, students have gone from their normal entry into school to bag searches, metal detector screenings and clear backpacks.
Now the district is considering another step.
So what are these new weapons screeners?
That is one of the biggest questions KPRC 2 is working to answer Thursday.
At its 7 a.m. meeting, the school board is expected to consider purchasing new weapons screening equipment during
The district has not yet provided details about the technology being considered.
That also leaves an important question about how the proposed equipment would differ from the metal detector screening already used at Willis High.
KPRC 2 has asked the district what type of system is being considered, which schools would receive the equipment, how much it would cost and when the system would begin operating if approved.
Blakelock told KPRC 2 she expects to have additional details after the meeting.
She also said the district is working on plans to show the new weapons screeners if the board approves them.
What happens next?
The Willis ISD Board of Trustees meets at 7 a.m. Thursday at the Sharon Hill Jennette Administration Building, located at 612 N. Campbell Street in Willis.
KPRC 2 will be there as board members consider the new screening equipment.
We will update this story once the board takes action and the district releases more information about the equipment, cost and plans for its use.
We want to hear from you
If your child attends Willis High School, have you noticed a difference since the new security measures started?
Do the bag searches, metal detector screenings and clear backpack requirement make you feel more comfortable sending your child to school?
And what would you want to know about the new weapons screening system before the district puts it in place?
Share your thoughts with KPRC 2.
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